Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 13, 2026

Simple Method for Fluorescence DNA In Situ Hybridization to Squashed Chromosomes
Published on: January 6, 2015
Dosage compensation in Drosophila
John C Lucchesi1, Mitzi I Kuroda2
1Department of Biology, O. W. Rollins Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322.
Abstract:
Dosage compensation in Drosophila increases the transcription of genes on the single X chromosome in males to equal that of both X chromosomes in females. Site-specific histone acetylation by the male-specific lethal (MSL) complex is thought to play a fundamental role in the increased transcriptional output of the male X. Nucleation and sequence-independent spreading of the complex to active genes serves as a model for understanding the targeting and function of epigenetic chromatin-modifying complexes. Interestingly, two noncoding RNAs are key for MSL assembly and spreading to active genes along the length of the X chromosome.
Related Concept Videos
Dosage Compensation
In addition to sexual development, the X chromosome has genes involved in autosomal functions such as brain development and the immune system. Therefore, males and females with distinct numbers of X chromosomes will...
The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
Position-effect Variegation
Polytene Chromosomes
Exon Recombination
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
Gene Conversion

